As mamas, you spend most of your time taking care of your love ones and tend to neglect one important person – yourself!
This column is dedicated to all you mamas out there. We will share our personal experience and beauty tips to show you that beauty is not time consuming! Our testimonials show that it just takes a little time and effort to make you shine through your hectic schedule.
This week, we shall start off with our crown - our beautiful hair. I believe many of us just take a quick bath, wash our hair with shampoo and forget (or lazy) to use a conditioner. Well, I just found a leave-on conditioner that not only makes my hair shine, it also maintain the curls (for those who have curls) making it look as if I just came out from the saloon. Unbelievable? Well, I have only used the conditioner twice and already my colleagues at work commented that my hair looks great. Thanks to this new product.
So for now, all I do is to apply this conditioner on my wet hair and leave for work. Who says looking great needs much longer time? No-no from now on!
Another problem I faced with my hair is - dandruff!!! Whenever i am stressed, dandruff will start to plague me. I have tried Head and Shoulders and many other anti-dandruff shampoos, all are not effective. However, after trying this new shampoo, the dandruff problem is resolved and I regain my healthy scalp. I have been using this shampoo for about 4 months.
Note : As this is not a advertising blog, product names will not be mentioned. Please contact us if you want more information.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Shopping list for first-time mama
Happy new year to all mamas and mamas-to-be!
I have seen some first-time mama asking around for what to buy for mama & newborn. Well, I created one since I had my 1st kid and have been circulating the list to my mamas-to-be friends! This list is constantly updated to ensure that you get the right stuff for you & your baby. Here's the list of items for your reference :
Mama's necessities :
1) Nursing bras - at least 6 pcs and good to buy between 32th-36th week. When you tried the bra, it should have some allowances about 2 hooks (for the hook type) for comfort esp when your breasts are FULL. (can get from major departmental stores selling maternity wear!)
2) Disposable nursing pads (from major departmental stores)
3) Sanitary pads - it is not a MUST to get the maternity pads. You can use the regular brands that you have been using on your heavy days! Advised that you get the LONG ones with wings too since you'll be in sitting or lying down position during your confinement month.
4) Herbal bath sachets - (from medical halls) granny always says not to shower during confinement. Well, you can if you use the herbal bath! Just boiled, mix with hot water in tub and ready for shower! You can use it to wash your hair too!
5) Dry shampoo (optional) - (from pharmacy or medical halls)
6) Nursing tops (good to have) - (maternity clothing section) esp when you want to nurse on-the-go!
7) Nipple cream (REALLY optional) - (from any deprtmental stores) best moisturiser is breast milk : P
Baby's items :
1) Receiving blanket (optional) - Some hospitals will provide. Else, just use a towel or baby blanket to wrap baby up for any outing during 1st month!
2) Disposable diapers - newborn size or "s" for some brands.
3) Cloth diapers & liner - for those who want to use cloth diapers, good to buy at least 2 dozens! You should also buy liner which acts as a barrier so that stools on the liner can be disposed off. A place to get cheap cloth diapers is to goto the shop (adjacent to the toilet) at Waterloo Street opposite the Guan Yin Temple. It is a wholesale shop. *NOTE* need to get diaper safety pins or fastners from major baby shops too!
4) Tie front baby tops - (from Waterloo St. shop) good to buy a dozen since babies may wet their tops rather often.
5) Mittens & booties - (from Waterloo St. shop) good to buy a dozen as babies tend to "suck" their hands so the mittens have to be changed frequently. As for booties, maybe soiled when they kicked while you changed their diapers : P
6) Bath Towels - (from Waterloo St. shop or departmental stores)
7) Baby wash cloth - (from departmental stores) baby's face is especially delicate so you need to use really soft wash cloth to wipe/wash their face. For the 1st month, you can use cotton to wash, subsequent then use the wash cloth!
8) Disposable wipes - (from departmantal stores)
9) Baby bath - (from departmental stores/pharmacy) Mild ones like Johnsons Head to toe; Sebamed; Latacyd, etc
10) Baby shampoo - (from departmental stores/pharmacy)
11) Bath Tub - (from baby stores)
12) Anti-slip mat for the tub - (from baby stores)
13) Changing mat (optional) - for changing baby after bath and diaper change too without wetting or soiling baby's bed
14) Feeding bottles and teats - (from departmental stores)
15) Bottle brush - (from departmental stores) for washing the bottles!
16) Bottle cleanser - (from departmental stores) for washing bottles!
17) Detergent (pigeon, kodomo or ABC) - (from departmental stores) as baby's skin is delicate, good to use baby detergent for baby laundry. Softerner is optional!
18) Cotton balls - for washing of baby's face in the 1st month.
19) Paper stem type of cotton swabs - (from departmental stores) for cleaning of baby's outter ears if there are some wax that falls from the ear. PLEASE do not clean their inner ear.
20) Ru Yi medicated oil (optional) - (from medicated halls) it's a medicated oil passed down for generations. It helped to sooth the baby, "purge" the wind in baby's tummy. Note that it can only be used in 2nd month after the cord clamp has dropped off and should be in small amount : )
21) Formulae Milk power (optional) - good to standby since you may not have your milk flowing yet. A few of my friends did not standby any and realised that their babies are starving! Another option is to get the sample from the hospital : )
Baby powder is not reccommended as some babies may be allegy to it and during application it may irritate baby's nose : )
Stay tuned for more tips on :
1) diaper rash;
2) different techniques for a faster BURP!;
3) sooth a cranky baby;
4) sooth the stuffy little nose when baby down with running nose, etc!
I have seen some first-time mama asking around for what to buy for mama & newborn. Well, I created one since I had my 1st kid and have been circulating the list to my mamas-to-be friends! This list is constantly updated to ensure that you get the right stuff for you & your baby. Here's the list of items for your reference :
Mama's necessities :
1) Nursing bras - at least 6 pcs and good to buy between 32th-36th week. When you tried the bra, it should have some allowances about 2 hooks (for the hook type) for comfort esp when your breasts are FULL. (can get from major departmental stores selling maternity wear!)
2) Disposable nursing pads (from major departmental stores)
3) Sanitary pads - it is not a MUST to get the maternity pads. You can use the regular brands that you have been using on your heavy days! Advised that you get the LONG ones with wings too since you'll be in sitting or lying down position during your confinement month.
4) Herbal bath sachets - (from medical halls) granny always says not to shower during confinement. Well, you can if you use the herbal bath! Just boiled, mix with hot water in tub and ready for shower! You can use it to wash your hair too!
5) Dry shampoo (optional) - (from pharmacy or medical halls)
6) Nursing tops (good to have) - (maternity clothing section) esp when you want to nurse on-the-go!
7) Nipple cream (REALLY optional) - (from any deprtmental stores) best moisturiser is breast milk : P
Baby's items :
1) Receiving blanket (optional) - Some hospitals will provide. Else, just use a towel or baby blanket to wrap baby up for any outing during 1st month!
2) Disposable diapers - newborn size or "s" for some brands.
3) Cloth diapers & liner - for those who want to use cloth diapers, good to buy at least 2 dozens! You should also buy liner which acts as a barrier so that stools on the liner can be disposed off. A place to get cheap cloth diapers is to goto the shop (adjacent to the toilet) at Waterloo Street opposite the Guan Yin Temple. It is a wholesale shop. *NOTE* need to get diaper safety pins or fastners from major baby shops too!
4) Tie front baby tops - (from Waterloo St. shop) good to buy a dozen since babies may wet their tops rather often.
5) Mittens & booties - (from Waterloo St. shop) good to buy a dozen as babies tend to "suck" their hands so the mittens have to be changed frequently. As for booties, maybe soiled when they kicked while you changed their diapers : P
6) Bath Towels - (from Waterloo St. shop or departmental stores)
7) Baby wash cloth - (from departmental stores) baby's face is especially delicate so you need to use really soft wash cloth to wipe/wash their face. For the 1st month, you can use cotton to wash, subsequent then use the wash cloth!
8) Disposable wipes - (from departmantal stores)
9) Baby bath - (from departmental stores/pharmacy) Mild ones like Johnsons Head to toe; Sebamed; Latacyd, etc
10) Baby shampoo - (from departmental stores/pharmacy)
11) Bath Tub - (from baby stores)
12) Anti-slip mat for the tub - (from baby stores)
13) Changing mat (optional) - for changing baby after bath and diaper change too without wetting or soiling baby's bed
14) Feeding bottles and teats - (from departmental stores)
15) Bottle brush - (from departmental stores) for washing the bottles!
16) Bottle cleanser - (from departmental stores) for washing bottles!
17) Detergent (pigeon, kodomo or ABC) - (from departmental stores) as baby's skin is delicate, good to use baby detergent for baby laundry. Softerner is optional!
18) Cotton balls - for washing of baby's face in the 1st month.
19) Paper stem type of cotton swabs - (from departmental stores) for cleaning of baby's outter ears if there are some wax that falls from the ear. PLEASE do not clean their inner ear.
20) Ru Yi medicated oil (optional) - (from medicated halls) it's a medicated oil passed down for generations. It helped to sooth the baby, "purge" the wind in baby's tummy. Note that it can only be used in 2nd month after the cord clamp has dropped off and should be in small amount : )
21) Formulae Milk power (optional) - good to standby since you may not have your milk flowing yet. A few of my friends did not standby any and realised that their babies are starving! Another option is to get the sample from the hospital : )
Baby powder is not reccommended as some babies may be allegy to it and during application it may irritate baby's nose : )
Stay tuned for more tips on :
1) diaper rash;
2) different techniques for a faster BURP!;
3) sooth a cranky baby;
4) sooth the stuffy little nose when baby down with running nose, etc!
“伶俐俏妈”博客网站
欢迎游览“伶俐俏妈”博客网站！
我们是一群工作妈妈，在兼顾事业与家庭的同时，有不少的心得。因此，希望分享一些亲身的经历，同时，也希望你能和我们分享您的故事！
也许你会认为网络上已有许多类似“伶俐俏妈”博客网站、论谈网络，等。
那我们又有什么不同呢？最大的不同是：我们的博客往站是英汉双语的网站。我们会以英汉双语与你分享一些当妈妈的经验 如照顾初生宝宝、哺乳和其他的幼儿方面的心得，等。同时，我们还希望能解答妈妈们的一些疑问。此外，我们也会和妈妈们分享一些小秘诀，来减轻妈妈们繁重的“负担”。
总而言之，我们希望借此博客站与你互相交流，联系，以及分享你的故事。
希望这博客站能成为你的“小日记”，“小百科”！但这也需要您的支持和“贡献”哦！
以下是一些我们将分享的主题：
1）有关哺乳的经验；
2）有关照顾初生宝宝的琐事；
3）婴儿与妈妈的用品清单（给初次当妈妈的妈妈们）；
4）有关幼儿的一些常识，如：训练幼儿上厕所、幼儿“纪律”问题（当幼儿犯错，如何训导），等有关问题；
5）时尚与美容：献给繁忙妈妈的简单美容保健和穿着潮流小秘诀；和
6）任何有关妈妈或宝宝的问题。
除此，如你有其他问题想与大家分享，欢迎你发布！
“伶俐俏妈”的妈妈们预祝大家“新年快乐”！
期待你的支持。
（注：“伶俐俏妈”博客网站还在翻译中，如有任何疑问，请发电邮或发布给我们！）
我们是一群工作妈妈，在兼顾事业与家庭的同时，有不少的心得。因此，希望分享一些亲身的经历，同时，也希望你能和我们分享您的故事！
也许你会认为网络上已有许多类似“伶俐俏妈”博客网站、论谈网络，等。
那我们又有什么不同呢？最大的不同是：我们的博客往站是英汉双语的网站。我们会以英汉双语与你分享一些当妈妈的经验 如照顾初生宝宝、哺乳和其他的幼儿方面的心得，等。同时，我们还希望能解答妈妈们的一些疑问。此外，我们也会和妈妈们分享一些小秘诀，来减轻妈妈们繁重的“负担”。
总而言之，我们希望借此博客站与你互相交流，联系，以及分享你的故事。
希望这博客站能成为你的“小日记”，“小百科”！但这也需要您的支持和“贡献”哦！
以下是一些我们将分享的主题：
1）有关哺乳的经验；
2）有关照顾初生宝宝的琐事；
3）婴儿与妈妈的用品清单（给初次当妈妈的妈妈们）；
4）有关幼儿的一些常识，如：训练幼儿上厕所、幼儿“纪律”问题（当幼儿犯错，如何训导），等有关问题；
5）时尚与美容：献给繁忙妈妈的简单美容保健和穿着潮流小秘诀；和
6）任何有关妈妈或宝宝的问题。
除此，如你有其他问题想与大家分享，欢迎你发布！
“伶俐俏妈”的妈妈们预祝大家“新年快乐”！
期待你的支持。
（注：“伶俐俏妈”博客网站还在翻译中，如有任何疑问，请发电邮或发布给我们！）
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Nursing and Working
Think many of the new nursing moms may face problem when returning to work, well, I just want to share my experience....one that I have been sharing with my friends when they need advice!
When I have my first child, returning to work after maternity was terrible! Imagine - I have to express milk every 3 hours, even in midst of meeting! Worst, when I need to visit sites where there are no nursing rooms, I have to do it in the toilets (well, hygiene still come 1st even in toilets). Besides, I have to carry a big haversack just to "stuff" my electric pump and cooler bag! Then I have to worry about storage and sterilisation ...... gosh....those were the days....and now I really wonder how I managed to do that for 15 months!
So when my second child came, I decided to change all that. Well, my second birth made me more "productive" in terms of MILK supply! However, my baby was not a good "sucker" as compared to my first child and hence I experienced blockage! I decided to consult a lactation nurse and she made it right for me! She taught me how to regulate my milk flow before returning to work and thereafter I improvised and "designed" my own schedule to compliment my workday.
Firstly, I started with a manual pump instead of the electric one. This is because it's easier to bring to the hospital :). When I'm back home, I would use the electric pump at night when the baby sleeps or when I'm not nursing (though I still express every 3 hourly even if baby is not drinking). With the inter-changing of pumps, I realised that my breast is "trained" for both pumps.
So how do I do it? See, for the first 2 months, I nurse on demand, i.e. whenever my baby cries for milk or comfort. While nursing, I would also use the manual pump to express at the same time to help stimulate milk flows. In my 3rd month, I would start to "lengthen" my "pumping" intervals. For the first week (of the 3rd month), I would pump every 4 hours for the whole week, then, at the 2nd week, I would pump every 5 hours and 3rd week, I would pump every 6 hours. Important thing to note: MUST pump diligently at the intervals if you do not want lower milk flow. This is also the month that I started to "train" my baby to drink from bottle in the day and only to nurse him early in the morning and at night.
By the time when I'm back in office, I would be expressing every 6 hours. So my schedule is as follows: expressing at 6 am; then at 12 noon; and lastly at 6 pm. I did that diligently for 2 weeks then I adjusted my schedule again to time (yes, I'm talking about the clock time) instead of the hourly interval.
I would express in the morning before going to work (eg, 6 am), during lunch (eg, 12 noon) and finally a last pump at 7.30 pm (when I reach home). I followed this schedule strictly for a week. This schedule is more realistics and easier to maintain and most importantly, my milk supply remains unaffected :) even if I had to "delay" one of my pumping time for about 1 hour later. The main "trick" is to keep to the schedule.
With this schedule, my working and social life was (sort of) back to normal....also, with the manual pump, I have less to carry.
As for sterilising.....I did not sterilise my pump at all! I just wash it with tap water after every pump and then store my pump in my cooler bag (yes! I stored everything in my cooler bag). But if you are still worried about cleanliness, you can always get the sterilising tablets from store. It does the same as your sterliser at home :)
...oh...one more thing, I have friends who asked me how I managed wake up to pump in the middle of the night since we are pumping every 3 hours. Well, I never did! I never wake up in the middle of the night to pump. That is when I realised that we can actually "train" our breast when to produce milk! It's all about supply and demand and brain power. Though I felt engorged for the first few nights but after that, my breast "realised" that there is no demand for milk at night, they "slowed down" the production and hence I can still express enough milk for my baby in the morning :)
When I have my first child, returning to work after maternity was terrible! Imagine - I have to express milk every 3 hours, even in midst of meeting! Worst, when I need to visit sites where there are no nursing rooms, I have to do it in the toilets (well, hygiene still come 1st even in toilets). Besides, I have to carry a big haversack just to "stuff" my electric pump and cooler bag! Then I have to worry about storage and sterilisation ...... gosh....those were the days....and now I really wonder how I managed to do that for 15 months!
So when my second child came, I decided to change all that. Well, my second birth made me more "productive" in terms of MILK supply! However, my baby was not a good "sucker" as compared to my first child and hence I experienced blockage! I decided to consult a lactation nurse and she made it right for me! She taught me how to regulate my milk flow before returning to work and thereafter I improvised and "designed" my own schedule to compliment my workday.
So how do I do it? See, for the first 2 months, I nurse on demand, i.e. whenever my baby cries for milk or comfort. While nursing, I would also use the manual pump to express at the same time to help stimulate milk flows. In my 3rd month, I would start to "lengthen" my "pumping" intervals. For the first week (of the 3rd month), I would pump every 4 hours for the whole week, then, at the 2nd week, I would pump every 5 hours and 3rd week, I would pump every 6 hours. Important thing to note: MUST pump diligently at the intervals if you do not want lower milk flow. This is also the month that I started to "train" my baby to drink from bottle in the day and only to nurse him early in the morning and at night.
By the time when I'm back in office, I would be expressing every 6 hours. So my schedule is as follows: expressing at 6 am; then at 12 noon; and lastly at 6 pm. I did that diligently for 2 weeks then I adjusted my schedule again to time (yes, I'm talking about the clock time) instead of the hourly interval.
I would express in the morning before going to work (eg, 6 am), during lunch (eg, 12 noon) and finally a last pump at 7.30 pm (when I reach home). I followed this schedule strictly for a week. This schedule is more realistics and easier to maintain and most importantly, my milk supply remains unaffected :) even if I had to "delay" one of my pumping time for about 1 hour later. The main "trick" is to keep to the schedule.
With this schedule, my working and social life was (sort of) back to normal....also, with the manual pump, I have less to carry.
...oh...one more thing, I have friends who asked me how I managed wake up to pump in the middle of the night since we are pumping every 3 hours. Well, I never did! I never wake up in the middle of the night to pump. That is when I realised that we can actually "train" our breast when to produce milk! It's all about supply and demand and brain power. Though I felt engorged for the first few nights but after that, my breast "realised" that there is no demand for milk at night, they "slowed down" the production and hence I can still express enough milk for my baby in the morning :)
Friday, December 25, 2009
"Super" brainymama "bad" pregnancy experiences
I'm one of the brainy mamas, labelled as "super" bariny mama. Why the label? No, I don't dress like a Superman (i.e. wearing the underwear outside :P) It's because I am a working & studying mama! I have 2 kids, age 6 & 1 and do not have a domestic helper. Fortunately I have my mom to babysit my kids while I work & study. Actually, I'm not "super" at all, I faced problems, too.
Before we started this blog, I was already planning to share what I experienced for my 2 pregnancies. The reason I chose this topic is that during then (both pregnancy period) I felt so alone, as if I am the only one having such problems though my gynae and nurses been assuring me that I'm not the only one....yes I also believe that I'm not the only one BUT when I visited the clinic, I'm always the only one looking so so ill....
I had severe vomitting during both pregnancies and it lasted throughout the whole pregnancy! During the 1st pregnancy, I started vomitting when I was 6 weeks pregnant and I threw up everything I ate or drink, even water! I was hospitalised due to dehydration and was given oral anti-nausea/vomitting medication which I had no idea that I would be allegic to. The reaction to the drug was BAD - I had upper jaw twisting to the left and lower jaw to the right, my eye balls kept rolling up into my upper lids and my fingers were stiff. I was like that for 5 hours before the doctors figured out that it was the reaction to the drug and it is known as "Oculogyric crisis". At one time, the pain was so unbearable that I requested the doctors to have me "cured" even if it is harmful to the baby. Luckily, the treatment had no side-effect on the baby and I "survived" that episode! I managed through the rest of the journey by eating & vomiting....till baby was borned!
For the 2nd pregnancy, I did a pregnancy test before I missed my period and was positive! It was then around the 4th week! I was eating really well then and many commented that I really looked pregnant! Well, for a moment I was thinking "hmmm...finally different from 1st pregnancy!" But this did not last....I started vomiting on the 5th week! This time, I got worst, nothing seems to stay this time, not even a spoonful. I requested to stay in the hospital to get "hydrated" (on drip)! I was in and out of the hospital every now & then for the 1st trimester. Each stay was a week long. Finally into my 2nd trimester, I started to eat spoonfuls (5 the most) though I was constantly feeling hungry. The vomiting persists and I got really depressed. I kept to myself, in my own world, I had no interest in anything then. Too weak to walk, I lost 9kgs, I lost my muscles, I don't like to talk, I was bad-tempered, I cried often even over the slightest issue. Yes, ante-natal BLUEs I had then! Then came the threathened pre-term labour and medication to stop contraction....all driving me crazy. Eventually I survived the episode and my baby was finally out on the 35th week!
Well, for both pregnanies I lost weight instead of gaining and 2nd was worst than 1st! But for the sake of the babies, I "survivied" the episodes. Ask if I dare to go for another one....well, no thanks....really! I love kids but I do not enjoy the pregnancy!
Well, I hope by sharing these bad experiences, people who have similar experiences like me can share yours, too. So that I'm not ALONE! And for those who are blessed with really smooth ones, well, go for more! Kids are adorable and fun. Most importantly, they light up your life!
Before we started this blog, I was already planning to share what I experienced for my 2 pregnancies. The reason I chose this topic is that during then (both pregnancy period) I felt so alone, as if I am the only one having such problems though my gynae and nurses been assuring me that I'm not the only one....yes I also believe that I'm not the only one BUT when I visited the clinic, I'm always the only one looking so so ill....
I had severe vomitting during both pregnancies and it lasted throughout the whole pregnancy! During the 1st pregnancy, I started vomitting when I was 6 weeks pregnant and I threw up everything I ate or drink, even water! I was hospitalised due to dehydration and was given oral anti-nausea/vomitting medication which I had no idea that I would be allegic to. The reaction to the drug was BAD - I had upper jaw twisting to the left and lower jaw to the right, my eye balls kept rolling up into my upper lids and my fingers were stiff. I was like that for 5 hours before the doctors figured out that it was the reaction to the drug and it is known as "Oculogyric crisis". At one time, the pain was so unbearable that I requested the doctors to have me "cured" even if it is harmful to the baby. Luckily, the treatment had no side-effect on the baby and I "survived" that episode! I managed through the rest of the journey by eating & vomiting....till baby was borned!
For the 2nd pregnancy, I did a pregnancy test before I missed my period and was positive! It was then around the 4th week! I was eating really well then and many commented that I really looked pregnant! Well, for a moment I was thinking "hmmm...finally different from 1st pregnancy!" But this did not last....I started vomiting on the 5th week! This time, I got worst, nothing seems to stay this time, not even a spoonful. I requested to stay in the hospital to get "hydrated" (on drip)! I was in and out of the hospital every now & then for the 1st trimester. Each stay was a week long. Finally into my 2nd trimester, I started to eat spoonfuls (5 the most) though I was constantly feeling hungry. The vomiting persists and I got really depressed. I kept to myself, in my own world, I had no interest in anything then. Too weak to walk, I lost 9kgs, I lost my muscles, I don't like to talk, I was bad-tempered, I cried often even over the slightest issue. Yes, ante-natal BLUEs I had then! Then came the threathened pre-term labour and medication to stop contraction....all driving me crazy. Eventually I survived the episode and my baby was finally out on the 35th week!
Well, for both pregnanies I lost weight instead of gaining and 2nd was worst than 1st! But for the sake of the babies, I "survivied" the episodes. Ask if I dare to go for another one....well, no thanks....really! I love kids but I do not enjoy the pregnancy!
Well, I hope by sharing these bad experiences, people who have similar experiences like me can share yours, too. So that I'm not ALONE! And for those who are blessed with really smooth ones, well, go for more! Kids are adorable and fun. Most importantly, they light up your life!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Introduction to our "brainy mamas" members
Welcome back! Curious about what our brainy mamas can do? Well, let me give you an introduction to our "brainy mamas" :
"Super" brainy mama
Besides work & family, have to study or tend to other needs. Have to turn into "Super" woman most of the time to multi-task!
"On time" brainy mama
Always rushing, fetch kids, cooking, sending kids for enrichment. Have to be on time! Besides, mamas have to cook and meals need to be on time, too! Let us share some tips to help you juggle better! See the dinner "on time" post! See, really ON TIME even during our soft lauch!
"Head-2-toes" brainy (fairy-god)mama
We need to look good always since we are always on the move. No time? Offering simple tips to help you look good from head to toes!
"On-the-ball" brainy mama
How to make my kids smarter? Need to send my kids for enrichment? Which preschool or primary school? We need to "upkeep" on anything to help our kids excel. Hence, have to be on-the-ball always!
"Nursing" brainy mama
Mamas need to nurse, of course! So we share our experiences in nursing and hope to help you manage better!
We will be launching our blog officially on 31 Dec 09. So look out for our posts and we hope to hear from you as well! As for the Chinese version, we hope to launch at the same time, however, "Super" brainy mama gotta work doubly hard to meet the deadline! Stay tuned for more!
Brainy mamas wish all of you and your family a Happy new year and do visit us!
"Super" brainy mama
Besides work & family, have to study or tend to other needs. Have to turn into "Super" woman most of the time to multi-task!
"On time" brainy mama
Always rushing, fetch kids, cooking, sending kids for enrichment. Have to be on time! Besides, mamas have to cook and meals need to be on time, too! Let us share some tips to help you juggle better! See the dinner "on time" post! See, really ON TIME even during our soft lauch!
"Head-2-toes" brainy (fairy-god)mama
We need to look good always since we are always on the move. No time? Offering simple tips to help you look good from head to toes!
"On-the-ball" brainy mama
How to make my kids smarter? Need to send my kids for enrichment? Which preschool or primary school? We need to "upkeep" on anything to help our kids excel. Hence, have to be on-the-ball always!
"Nursing" brainy mama
Mamas need to nurse, of course! So we share our experiences in nursing and hope to help you manage better!
We will be launching our blog officially on 31 Dec 09. So look out for our posts and we hope to hear from you as well! As for the Chinese version, we hope to launch at the same time, however, "Super" brainy mama gotta work doubly hard to meet the deadline! Stay tuned for more!
Brainy mamas wish all of you and your family a Happy new year and do visit us!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Dinner "on time"
Being a "on time" brainy mama, I'm like most of the working mothers, need to rush to fetch kids from the childcare centre and will only reach home around 7pm. That is dinner time! So what's for dinner?
Well, I'm a strong believer of home-cooked food is always better than "outside" food (i.e. packed food). Hence, in order to ensure food is ready on time, I depend on my 2 great helpers - my thermal cookers!
To my family, soup is the essence of the meal so I'll usually boil my soup at night or early in the morning so that it is ready by the time I reach home :) Little tip - You'll have to prepare the ingredients the nite before if you want to boil in the morning.
For main dishes, I'll usually have steam fish and simple stir-fry vege or meat that can be prpeared within 10 mins.
On top of that, it's a must to have an electric rice cooker, one that can preset time to cook, so rice will be ready, too!
Sometimes, I would cook "special all-in-one rice" like pumpkin rice and chicken rice, etc, early in the morning in the rice cooker!
If you are interested, you can refer to my brainy mama easy-to-cook receipes at My Kid's Recipe blog that you can try out :)
!
Well, I'm a strong believer of home-cooked food is always better than "outside" food (i.e. packed food). Hence, in order to ensure food is ready on time, I depend on my 2 great helpers - my thermal cookers!
To my family, soup is the essence of the meal so I'll usually boil my soup at night or early in the morning so that it is ready by the time I reach home :) Little tip - You'll have to prepare the ingredients the nite before if you want to boil in the morning.
For main dishes, I'll usually have steam fish and simple stir-fry vege or meat that can be prpeared within 10 mins.
On top of that, it's a must to have an electric rice cooker, one that can preset time to cook, so rice will be ready, too!
Sometimes, I would cook "special all-in-one rice" like pumpkin rice and chicken rice, etc, early in the morning in the rice cooker!
If you are interested, you can refer to my brainy mama easy-to-cook receipes at My Kid's Recipe blog that you can try out :)
!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Welcome
Welcome to Ask Brainy Mama! Why brainy mama? Well, we believe that we could share some of our real-life experiences with you and we hope to hear from you, too!
We are a group of working mamas juggling with work and family (even study)! Many of you are like us and we want to connect with you. We want to hear from you - your problems or your real-life experiences or tips related to :
1) nursing issues;
2) handling newborns;
3) mother & baby shopping list for mom-to-be;
4) toddlers' & preschoolers' issues : toilet training and disciplinary acts, etc.
5) beauty tips, fashion tips for mamas;
6) all other working mamas' issues!
You may think that there are already websites offering tips and professional advices, so why come to "Ask Brainy Mama"?
Well, nothing beats real-life experiences, you know the best since every individual is unique. So we believe that we can share what we went through and we can be the "subject-expert" to "advise" on similar cases. Of course, we need you to share yours, too.
We hope to find more mamas that we can connect in one way or the other. So start sharing and spreading the words so that we can start our learning journey and lighten our daily loads!
Mamas, do come back and visit us again as we are still loading our blog! Stay tuned....
(Look out for the Chinese version of Ask Brainy Mama which is currently in progress!)
We are a group of working mamas juggling with work and family (even study)! Many of you are like us and we want to connect with you. We want to hear from you - your problems or your real-life experiences or tips related to :
1) nursing issues;
2) handling newborns;
3) mother & baby shopping list for mom-to-be;
4) toddlers' & preschoolers' issues : toilet training and disciplinary acts, etc.
5) beauty tips, fashion tips for mamas;
6) all other working mamas' issues!
You may think that there are already websites offering tips and professional advices, so why come to "Ask Brainy Mama"?
Well, nothing beats real-life experiences, you know the best since every individual is unique. So we believe that we can share what we went through and we can be the "subject-expert" to "advise" on similar cases. Of course, we need you to share yours, too.
We hope to find more mamas that we can connect in one way or the other. So start sharing and spreading the words so that we can start our learning journey and lighten our daily loads!
Mamas, do come back and visit us again as we are still loading our blog! Stay tuned....
(Look out for the Chinese version of Ask Brainy Mama which is currently in progress!)
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)